Barcelona residents protest against social housing regulation evasion

The Tenants Union accuses investment fund Vandor of bypassing the 30% social housing quota in four buildings.

Generic image of a residential building facade in Barcelona with protest signs.
IA

Generic image of a residential building facade in Barcelona with protest signs.

The Tenants Union and local residents in Barcelona filed a formal complaint this Thursday, urging the Mayor to enforce the 30% social housing rule on four buildings owned by the Vandor investment fund.

Inspectors found that recent renovations in buildings located on Entença, Nàpols, Consell de Cent, and Rocafort streets exceeded their permits. These major works should legally trigger a requirement to reserve nearly a third of the space for protected housing, a regulation the fund is allegedly trying to avoid.

"Someone at the City Council is blocking the fines from being issued."

Carme Arcarazo · Tenants Union Spokesperson
While legal battles continue, residents like Elisabeth Lezama face imminent eviction, with her date set for April 16th. Political group Barcelona en Comú has called for Laia Bonet, the deputy mayor for urbanism, to explain the administrative delays in these cases.